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Do you have regrets when you look back on the year? I know I do! This is a trip down 2024 lessons and what I will not be repeating next year or hopefully ever!

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Whether you are a novice or a pro with tagging sheep you always are thinking about a better way to do it. How can I make the tags easier to read? How can I reduce stress and pain on my animal?

The basics

For sheep the only tag necessary is an NLIS tag. This is usually the smaller tag and contains your pic number, animal farm identification number (which you choose) and details of any accreditations your farm has - for example V for OJV vaccinated. Most farmers will also add a larger (often triangle shaped) tag. This tag would have the stud or farm name and the animal number in larger font. In Victoria from January 2017 all sheep born will need to have an electronic tag - more on this to follow. To tag your sheep you also need a tag applicator and for your farm tags a tag pen (unless you get the tags etched). The NLIS tag never changes and stays with the sheep for its life - even if that animal moves farms. Alan suggests choosing an ear to insert your tags and stick with that ear. Some farms would tags the females in the right ear and males in the left. You can remove farm tags and replace them if you like - these can be cut off.

Purchasing your tags

This is a personal preference and the NLIS website gives a list of companies than supply tags for sheep in Australia.

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Ever wondered what sheep are saying to each other or to you?? Let's talk sheep!!

Research links:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159121000514

https://kids.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frym.2022.703514

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Ever heard of One Health? You might not have, but, you do know about Q fever! In this piece Jessi Hekmati an international specialist on the topic explains how they connect.

What is One Health?

One Health is the collaborative approach that recognizes the interconnectedness we share with other humans, animals and our shared environment. More specifically, the health of animals directly impacts the health of human beings and vice versa. As farmers and individuals who work with sheep and animals, it is important to take necessary steps to prevent the spread of zoonotic disease outbreaks amongst animals and humans. These three steps include quarantine, implementing a biosecurity plan, and proper disposal of animal carcasses.

1. Quarantine: When purchasing new livestock, be sure to quarantine them in a separate pen for 2-4 weeks before introducing them to the rest of your herd or flock.

2. Biosecurity Plan: A proper biosecurity plan can prevent disease outbreaks, reduce costs, put you in compliance with regulations, increase sustainability, and safeguard public health for animals and humans.

3. Proper Disposal: When an animal dies from a disease there are proper guidelines to be followed to prevent an outbreak.

Implementing steps like the three steps mentioned can prevent future outbreaks and together we can mitigate the spread of zoonotic disease, creating a safer environment for humans, animals and our shared home!

For more information on zoonotic disease outbreak prevention, biosecurity plans, and general educational material, contact Jessi Hekmati, MPH at Small Ruminant Solutions.

E: jessi.hekmati@smallruminantsolutions.com

Visit our Linktree at linktr.ee/smallruminantsolutions where you can subscribe to Jessi’s bi-weekly newsletter.

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Every had mismatched twins? Want to know what causes it and how to prevent it - have a listen in and enjoy!

https://farmnews.co.nz/2012/12/02/more-than-one-cause-of-mismatched-lambs/

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All animals have their own limit/load to how much heat they can tolerate. This is important for normal body functions in sheep as their internal temperature to be maintained within a narrow range. In this episode we explore what is heat stress, how to identify it and hot to treat, manage and prevent heat stress in your sheep.

Useful links:

https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/livestock-and-animals/livestock-health-and-welfare/caring-for-animals-during-extreme-heat

· https://www.mla.com.au/extension-training-and-tools/resource-hubs/transport-hub/sheep-transport-guidelines/

· https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/beef-cattle/managing-heat-load-and-heat-stress-sheep-and-cattle-saleyards#:~:text=However%2C%20as%20air%20temperature%20rises,sweating%20to%20increase%20evaporative%20cooling.

· https://www.veterinaryhandbook.com.au/Diseases.aspx?diseasenameid=116

· https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/support-and-resources/newsletters/sheep-notes-newsletter/sheep-notes-autumn-2020/signs-and-management-of-heat-stress-in-sheep

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The principles of ‘fit to load’ are to be used at any time the animal is being transported by road or rail.

For more information, please visit https://www.mla.com.au/fittoload where the full guide by MLA can be downloaded/printed for future use. This article has been adapted from the MLA ‘Fit to Load’ Guideline book (2019)

US links https://animal-welfare.extension.org/transport-and-care-of-sheep-and-goats/

Canadian links https://inspection.canada.ca/en/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/imports/import-policies/live-animals/2011-4

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Do you ever find yourself questioning your life choices with sheep and farming? I know I have. In this episode we question life choices and explore how you know if sheeping is right for you now and when or if that might change how you might know.
An existential episode of sorts to ponder and reflect on the choices we make and the challenges that come with those choices.
Remember it's ok to question!

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